Cable railway



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet; 1.

W. M. LEVERING.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 326,754. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

WITNESSES: I lNVE/VYOR 'v m am ATTORNEY N. PETERS Pholohthognpher Wilhinuinn. 04 c.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

W. M. LEVERING.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 326,754. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

l/VI E/VTOR 2 ATTORNEY WITNESSES."

N. PETERS. Photo-Lithographer Washington. D. c,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

W. M. LEVERING.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 326,754. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

WITNESSES." L VVE/VTOR ATTORNEY N. PETERS. Pmwumn nor. Waihinglon. o. c.

4 (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

W. M. LEVERING.

CABLE RAILWAY.

No. 326,754. Patented Sept. 22, 1885.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR a 7 A TTORNE Y N PETERS. Photn-Llhognphur. Wnhmglnn. D-C.

UNTTE STATES ATENT Trice.

CABLE RAILWAY.

.BPECIEICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 326,754, dated September 22, 1885.

Application filed February 3, 1885.

.To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM M. LEVERING, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Gable Railways; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making apart of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

My invention has relation to cable-motor railways; and it has for its objects, first, at the intersection of cable-roads to so arrange a depression-pulley in the tube of the crossed road at or near the crossing that it may be de pressed automatically on the approach and during the passage of a grip in the tube of the crossing road, carrying the cable of the crossed road with it, (thus allowing the grip of the crossing road to pass over the said cable safe- ]y,) and returning the said depression-pulley to its normal position after the passage of the said grip of the crossing road second, in case the depression-pulley of a cable road is required to be normally in the line of the gripslot, to automatically remove the said depression-pulley to one side on the approach and during the passage of a grip within the tube of the said cable road, and return the said depression-pulley to its normal position after the passage of said grip. I

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan of machinery whereby these two operations may be performed by one apparatus. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through the grip-slot of the road to be crossed. Fig. 4 is an isometrical View of a portion of the mechanism connected with the counter-weight of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section of Fig. 7 through the grip slot of the road to be crossed. Fig. 6 shows a method of operating the depression-pulley, without the aid of bell-cranks, by connecting directly to the vibrating frame which operates it. Fig. 7 shows another form of the apparatus, where the cable travels to one side of the grip-slot of the road to be crossed, and the (No model.)

depression-pulleys do not require to be moved laterally to permit the passage of a grip-shank in said slot; and Fig. 8 is a side elevation of same.

In the different figures the same letters refer to the same parts.

In the several figures, A is the tubeway to be crossed. a is the cable situated therein. B is the tube of the crossing road, and b the cable situated within it, which may be do pressed, if necessary, and so arranged as to be carried below and out of the way of any grip passing through the tube A. The tubes Aand B may be stopped off near their junction and a suitable chamber formed for the reception of the l1ereinafter-described mechanism, said chamber having openings to the street furnished with covers for the purpose of cleaning, removing, oiling, or repairing said mechanism; or the coveringof the chamber may be made entirely of wrought-iron plates, with suitable projections and rails, if

, desired.

In Figs. 1, 2, and 3, O G are frames secured to the rock-shaft c, and arranged in such a manner that the contact of any portion of the grip, grip shank, or any attachment theretoas, for instance, the rollers D D moving in the tube B of the crossing road wit-h the faces 0 of the frame 0 will cause said frame to vibrate about the axis of the shaft 0, turning the shaft with it and compelling the frame O on the opposite side of the road to be crossed to vibrate simultaneously with said frame 0. The parallel faces 0 O of the frames are preferably made sufficiently long, and the distance between the centers of the rollers D and His made sufficientlygreat to allow of the rollers D reaching the frame 0 before the rollers D have left the frame 0, as shown more clearly in Fig. 7, and to allow the rollers D to reach the frame G before the rollers D have left it, thus keeping the frames 0 and C continuously in one position until the grip has entirely passed the crossing. The frames 0 and C are preferably fixed in position and placed at such a distance from the frame 0 as to allow the passage of the grip, and at the same time to prevent the grip-shank by the main frame T. The other arm of this being bent over by the lateral pressure of the faces (3 against it. They may, however, be made to vibrate in a similar manner to the frames 0 and G ,.if desired.

In Fig. 1 the grip is shown just entering between the faces 0 and O of frames-O and G, and in Fig. 7 the grip is shown spanning the interval between the frames 0 and G, the cable being depressed by the pulley M. as hereinafter described. The rod E connects the frame 0* to one end of the bell-crank F on the shaft f, (see Fig. 3,) which shaft is supported bell-crank partly carries the frame G, through the pin g. The frame G is also partly carried by the bell-crank F, through the pin 9, the two bell-cranks F and F being connected, so as to vibrate simultaneously, by the rod H, pinned at h and h to the respective bellcranks. The frame G carries,through the pins 2' '13, the short rocklevers I I, made to move simultaneously by means of the connecting-bar K, pinned thereto. Said rock-levers I carry, through the pins Z, the bar L, of any suitable shape, so arranged as to be moved by a gripshank, or attachment thereto, moving in the tube A, coming in contact therewith in a manner similar to the contact of the grip in the tube B with the faces 0 of the frame 0. The bar Learries the depression-pulley M, suitably secured thereto by a pin or axle, m, said pulley M being normally directly over the cable a in the tube A, and acting as an ordinary depression-pulley to prevent any upward movement of the cable a at all times when the crossing is not occupied by a grip traveling in the tube B. The lever, n, having a counter-weight, N, firmly secured thereto and adjustable thereon, actuating a connecting'link, O, bell-crank P, secured to the frame G, and connectinglink R, serves to keep. the whole arrangement normally in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Small pulleys S S and U U are attached to the bars L, for the purpose of guiding the cable a back to its'proper-place between the bars L after the passage of a grip in the tube A. The pins passing through the bell-crank P are made long enough to allow of the links R and the said bell-crank moving laterally thereon to a small extent to compensate for the endwise motion of the bars L and frame G with respect to the lever 12, and to each other when the mechanism is moved from its normal position.

The arrangement of mechanism connecting the arm n to the bar L is shown more clearly in Fig. 4.

The operation of this apparatus is as follows: When a grip in the tube Bis approaching the crossing, the said grip is loosened from its hold on the cable I), and suitable projectionsas, for instance, the rollers D Dattached to the same, come in contact with the faces 0 O of the frame 0 Oflto move frame 0 away from the center line of the tube B, actuthe frame G, with its attachments, including the roller M, to move downward. The downward movement of the depression-pulley M carries with it the rope a, moving in the tube A, so that the grip in the tubeB may clear it in passing over. The bell-crank P is prevented from further rotation in the direction of the center of thetube A by suitable stops, the connecting-link O and inner end of the lever n are forced downward and the counterweight N raised without in any way altering the relative positions of the frame G and bar L. After the passage of the grip in the tube B, the counter-weight in falling returns the apparatus to its normal position and vibrates the rock-shaft c and frame 0 (l to their original place. On the approach of a grip in the tube A the pulleys D D, or other suitable projections thereon, coming in contact with the bars L L, force them apart simultaneously, the bar L carrying the roller M back with it away from its position in the center of the tube A, and leaving the way clear for the passage of the grip-shank, the counter-weights N and N rising slightly at the same time, being actuated through the medium of the rocklevers P and P and their connecting-links, forcing the inner ends of the levers n and a downward. After the passage of the grip in the tube A, the counter-weights, in falling to their normal position, force the bars L and L outward to their former positions through the medium of the said roclrlevers P and P and their connectingdinks. Suitable stops are provided to prevent excessive motion in the rook-levers P and P and bars L and L. I It will be seen that the counter-weight N is made to return either of the sets of mechanism actuating the roller M to its normal position, and keep it there without disturbing the other set. I may use one or more rocking-frames,GO,and one or more sets of bars, L and L, either or both of which may have a roller, M, mounted thereon. I may use the rock-frame O in combination with movable bars, instead of the fixed bars 0 C or I may use a stationary bar in lieu of the movable bar L, to relieve the side strain of the grip shank moving inthe tube A.

I do not confine myself to the use ofthe conneetinglinks O and R and bell-crank P,hav-

ing a lateral motion with respect to each other by sliding on the connecting-pins, but may use bars connected at each end by ball-andsocket or gimbaljoints; nor do I confine myself to the use of a single counter-weight for returning both sets of mechanism to their normal position,but may use separate counterweights for each, or may use a weight or weights with chains or ropes and pulleys.

The preceding description applies to the arrangement of mechanism where the cable to be crossed is in or near the center of its tube, and requires the depression-pulley M to be moved aside to permit the passage of the grip in the tube to be crossed; but it is obvious that when the said cable is placed on one side of the tube the pulley M will be out of the way of the passages of the gripshank in the tube A, and thatthe bars L L, rock-levers I, connecting-bars K, frame G, rock-levers P, and connecting-bars B may be dispensed with and the rollers M secured directly to the bellcrank F, as shown in Figs. 5, 7, and 8, or that the pulley M may be mounted directly on an arm connected to the rock-frame G, as shown in Fig. 6; also, in places where the pulley M does not require to be depressed, but only to be moved aside for the passage of a grip in the tube in which it operates, the rocking frames O and O, rock-levers F F, and connection E may be dispensed with and the frame G firmly connected to the main frame T, or made in one piece with it, the pulley M being operated by the bars L L, counter-weight N, and connecting mechanism, as hereinbefore described.

I do not limit myself to the use of the rock frame (3* in connection with suitable mechanism for the purpose of moving the pulley M up and down in contact with the rope a, but may use for that purpose an arrangement of bars similar to L L. Such an arrangement I do not herein claim, as I have made it a part of the subject-matter of another application for Letters Patent; nor do I claim the rollers D D rolling in contact with each other, as an attachment to a cable-grip,as I have made such arrangement part of the subject-matter of another application for Letters Patent.

I am aware that a rock-frame vibrating in a manner somewhat similar to the frame 0 has been proposed for removing the depression-pulleys of a cable road out of the way of a grip-shank moving parallel to such vibrating frame, and that a spring has been used to return such frame to its normal position. Such is not my invention, and I do not claim,br0adly, the use of a vibrating frame for moving the depression-pulleys of a cable road.

I am also aware that a pair of rock-frames with curved guards and pulleys mounted thereon have been proposed for the purpose of raising a cable and placing it within the jaws of a grip. Such is not my invention, but

Vhat I claim is 1. At the crossing of cable roads, or thejunc' tion of a branch to the main line, the vibrating frame 0 C, situated parallel or nearly parallel to the line of motion of the grip on the car of the crossing or joining road, and operated by the said grip,or attachment there to, in combination with suitable mechanism for the purpose of raising or depressing a pulley in the line of the tube of the crossed road and acting upon the rope or cable traveling therein.

2. At the crossing of cable roads, two or more frames, 0 O, vibrating simultaneously.

on both sides of the road to be crossed, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In the operating mechanism of cable roads, the combination, with the vibrating frame 0 and a grip-shank or car attachment on said road, of the stationary frame 0, sub stantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. At the crossing or junction of cable roads, the depressionroller M, placed normally over the cable of the road to be crossed, in combination with the vibrating frame 0, operated by a grip or grip shank moving in the tube of the crossing or joining road, and suitable connecting mechanism and counter-weights in gear with said frame, whereby the said roller M is adapted to be depressed upon the cable of the road to be crossed on the approach of a grip in the tubeway of the crossing or joining road,and returned to its normal position after the passage of said grip.

5. The depression-pulley M, in combination with the frame G, rock-levers F F, pins f, 5 f, and g, connecting-bars E and H,with their pins, rock-frame O, and suitable supporting frame-work, so arranged as to be operated by a grip or grip-shank,or attachment thereto, substantially as described.

6. The depression pulley M, in combination with the frame G, rock-levers F F, pins f, g,f, and g, connecting-bars E and H,with their frame 0, counter-Weight N, and suitable connecting mechanism and supporting framework, so arranged as to be operated by a grip or grip-shank, or attachment thereto, and returned to their normal position, substantially as described.

7. In a cable road, the bars L L, in combination with depression-pulleys M, and mechanism, substantially as shown and described, and adapted to be actuated by a grip-shank or car attachment to impart to said bars a simultaneous and nearly parallel movement at right angles, or nearly so, to the line of motion of said grip shank, substantially as set forth.

8. The bars L and L, having a simultaneous and nearly parallel movement at right angles, or nearly so, to the line of motion of the grip-shank of the car of a cable road, the depression-pulley M, mountedupon the bar L, the counter-weights N and N, and suitable connecting mechanism and supporting framework, in combination with the grip, gripshank, or attachment thereto, of a car of said cable road for the purpose of moving the depression-pulley of a cable road out of the way of the passage of such grip-shank and returning the same to its normal position after the passage of the grip-shank.

9. The combination, with the depressionrollers M and their actuating mechanism, as dcscribechofthe rollers S, shaped substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a cable-motor railway, the movable frame or frames 0 0, located in one road-con duit, in combination with the movable bar L, located in a crossing conduit and having depression-roller M, and actuating mechanism between said frame and bars, substantially as shown and described. 11. A cable road having movable frame 0 G, in gear With bars L L, located in a cross- 5 ing or lateral branch cable road, depressionroller M and mechanism for automatically returning said frames and bars to their normal position, substantially as set forth.

12. The combination, with the movable [0 frame of a cable road, of a depression-roller,

M, located in a crossing or branch road and in gear with said frame, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence 1 3 of two witnesses.

WILLIAM M. LEVERING.

Witnesses:

MATT. CLIFTON, GEORGE W. SELTZER. 

